Container and reusable, resealable closure therefor

ABSTRACT

A container, particularly one having a container body made of fiber or other synthetic material, and of the type having a slip cover including a skirt adapted to overlap and surround the upper portion of the container body, wherein improved means are provided for reclosing and/or resealing the container by providing a circumferential constricted area in the container body and a complementary circumferential deformable zone in the cover skirt, together with contractible means for deforming said zone into said area on a repetitively usable basis.

D United States Patent [1113,56l,637

[72] Inventor William McConnell [56] References Cited y, Frodsham, gland UNITED STATES PATENTS [211 P 3,437,254 4/1969 Bergstrom 229/5.'/ [22] Filed Aug. 8, 1968 FOREIGN P TENT 45 Patented Feb. 9, 1971 A 5 [73] Assignee Inland Steel Company 503,448 3/1920 France 220/55 Chi [IL 1,140,129 11/1962 Germany 229/5 7 v a corporation of Delaware Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Priority 8, 9 7 AttorneyWolfe, Hubbard, Voit & Osann [33] Great Britain [31 36.298/67 ABSTRACT: A container, particularly one having a container body made of fiber or other synthetic material, and of the type [54] SABLERESEALABLE having a slip cover including a skirt adapted to overlap and 8 CI n D surround the upper portion of the container body. wherein imrawmg proved means are provided for reclosing and/or resealing the [52] US. Cl 220/42, container by providing a circumferential constricted area in 220/55, 229/5.7 the container body and a complementary circumferential [51] Int. Cl B65d 41/00 deformable zone in the cover skirt, together with contractible [50] Field of Search 220/42, 55; means for deforming said zone into said area on a repetitively usable basis.

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CONTAINER AND REUSABLE, RESEALABLE CLOSURE THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to containers and, more particularly, to an improved resealable container and closure therefor. In its principal aspects, the invention is concerned with a container of the foregoing type, particularly one made of fibrous or similar synthetic material, wherein the container may be conveniently and effectively reclosed and rescaled by means of a slip-type cover on a repetitive basis.

Containers of the type employing slip covers are generally well known. Such conventional containers commonly employ a cover which includes a depending cylindrical skirt or side edge which slidably and snugly fits about the upper end of the container body. Adhesive tapes are commonly employed to secure the cover to the body. Unfortunately, however, the ap plication of the adhesive tape is both inconvenient and time consuming. Moreover, the tape is often not reusable, particularly on a repetitive basis, and thus the integrity of the closure seal is seriously affected when only part of the container contents are dispensed.

Accordingly, it is a general aim of the present invention to provide a simple, reliable, economical, yet effective, reusable, resealable container closure assembly of the type employing a slip cover which overcomes the foregoing disadvantages.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved container and closure therefor of the foregoing type which permit of ease of fabrication from conventional and readily available package forming equipment and materials.

It is a more detailed object of the invention to provide an improved container construction of the type employing a slip cover wherein one or more conventional reinforcing rings are employed for multiple completely different functional purposes, viz., to reinforce the upper end of the container body and to define, at least in part, an effective abutment which cooperates with the removable cover in a unique way to preclude accidental removal of the cover and to provide an effective reusable closure seal.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary container-here, a drum-shaped containerand the closure components therefore, which container and closure embody the features of the present invention in accordance with one form thereof;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the upper portion of a container of the type shown in FIG. I, here illustrating the container with its cover in the closed position but prior to final closure and sealing thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but here illustrating the container and its cover in a completely closed and effectively sealed condition;

FIGS. 4 through 7, inclusive, are perspective views of various types of covers which all embody the features of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7, here depicting specific details of this form of the invention; and,

FIGS. 9 through 11, inclusive, are fragmentary vertical sectional views similar to FIG. 3, here respectively illustrating three slightly modified forms of the invention.

While the present invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, there has been illustrated in FIG. I, a container, generally indicated at 20, which, in the exemplary form of the invention here shown, includes a drumshaped or cylindrical container body 21 closed at its lower end by a conventional end member (not shown) and at its upper end by a removable cover 22. In this illustrative form ofthe invention, the upper end of the container body 21 is reinforced by an annular reinforcing ring 24 which may be rigidly and permanently affixed to the container body in any suitable manner, as, for example, by adhesive, separate fastener components, welding or similar fusion techniques, or by physically curling the components together. Preferably, but not essentially, the upper edge of the reinforcing ring 24 lies in a common plane with the upper edge of the body 21.

As the ensuing description proceeds, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that the particular materials from which the various container components are made are not critical to the present inventionindeed, such components may be formed from a wide range of materials such, merely by way of example and not by way of limitation, as

I cardboard, paper or other fibrous materials, plastic or similar synthetic materials, or even metallic materials. Moreover, the container may employ components which are made from different ones of such materials. However, it has been found that particularly advantageous results are achieved in those instances where the container body 21 is formed of fiber, the cover 22 is formed at least in part of either fiber or a deformable plastic material, and the reinforcing ring is formed of either fiber or metal.

In order to permit closure of the container 20, the cover 22 includes a central generally flat disc-shaped end member 25 and an annular depending skirt 26. The skirt 26 may be integral .with the disc-shaped end member 25, or they may be formed of separate elements which can be either permanently secured together or separable. In those instances where the cover 22 includes an end member 25 and a skirt 26 which are independent elements, the latter is preferably formed with a radially inwardly extending annular flange 28 adapted to overlie, and in some instances, to be permanently affixed to, the outer peripheral edge of the disc-shaped end member 25. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that where the two cover components are separable, the end member 25 will have a diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the upper end of the container body 21 so as to insure that the end member 25 can and will seat on the upper end of the container body 21 when the cover 22 is applied thereto. Thus, the arrangement is such that when the cover 22 is applied to the container body 21, the skirt 26 surrounds the upper end of the body 21 (and the reinforcing ring 24 where one is provided in the manner shown in FIG. I) with a snug sliding fit, as best illustrated in FIG. 2.

In accordance with one of the important aspects of the present invention, provision is made for securely, yet removably, affixing the cover 22 on the container body 2] in a positive manner which provides an effective and reliable seal. and wherein the cover can be easily removed and replaced on a repetitive basis without damaging the integrity of either the closure or the seal. To this end, and as best illustrated by reference to FIGS. l3 conjointly, provision is made for deforming a circumferential zone of the cover skirt 26 into intimate axially immovable engagement with a preformed cir' cumferential constricted region formed in the upper end of the container body 21.

To accomplish this in accordance with the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, it will be observed that the upper wall portion 29 of the cylindrical drum body 21 is displaced inwardly parallel to itself, viz., the outside diameter of the upper wall portion 29 is less than the outside diameter of the main portion of the container body 21. The reinforcing ring 24 is then applied to the outer surface of the wall portion 29 of the body 21 and, preferably, is secured thereto in any suitable manner. The axial length of the relatively small diameter upper wall portion 29 is preferably slightly greater than thedistance x indicated in FIG. 2, while the axial length of the reinforcing ring 24 is preferably slightly less than the distance x. As a consequence of this arrangement, the lowermost portion of the wall portion 29, together with the lower edge of the reinforcing ring 24 and the main part of the body 21 define a circumferentially disposed constriction 30 spaced axially from the upper end of the container body by a distance 1:. To insure a smooth snug fit for the skirt 26of the cover 22, the amount of radial inward displacement of the body wall portion 29 and the thickness of the reinforcing ring 24 are preferably selected so that the outside diameter of the ring 24 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the main portion of the container body 21.

In carrying out the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1- 3, the cover 22 includes a pair of circumferential, axially spaced, outwardly projecting beads or creases 31, 32 which are formed in the skirt 26 on either side of a circumferential deformable skirt zone 34, such zone being spaced axially from the inside surface of the cover end member by a distance x. Thus, the arrangement is such that when the cover 22 is fully seated on the upper end of the container body as shown in FIG. 2, the deformable zone 34 in the skirt 26 is disposed immediately adjacent the constriction 30 formed in the body 21. For the purpose of deforming the skirt zone 34 radially inward into locked and sealing engagement with the constricted portion 30 of the body 21, any suitable tensioning means can be provided. For example, such tensioning means may simply take the form of an expansible and contractable split clamping ring 35 of the type having its opposite ends secured to an overcenter toggle clamp 36. Thus, referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that when the split clamping ring 35 is contracted by actuation of the clamp 36 (FIG. 1), the deformable zone 34 of the skirt 26 is pressed into the constriction 30 in the container body 21, thereby effectively securing the cover 22 to the body in such a manner the cover cannot be removed until the clamp 36 is again actuated and the clamping ring 35 is again expanded, Moreover, the arrangement is such that an effective seal is created between the inner surface of the deformable zone 34 and the outer surface of the constricted portion 30 of the body 21.

Referring next to FIGS. 4 and 5, slightly modified forms of covers, 38 and 39 respectively, have been illustrated which may also be used in carrying out the present invention. As here shown, a plurality of openings 40 are formed in the skirt 41 of cover 38, which openings take the form of relative wide V-shaped notches 42 which extend axially from the lower edge of the skirt 41 into a circumferential crease 44 formed in the skirt. Thus, the deformable zone is defined by the array of openings-40. A similar arrangement is shown in FIG. where the openings 40 are defined by relatively narrow and closely spaced notches 45 formed in the lower edge ofthe skirt 41.

Yet another form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein a cover 46 is illustrated in which a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 48 are formed in the crease 44 in skirt 41; the holes and the crease serving to define a circumferential deformable zone in the skirt 41.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, another modified cover 49 is depicted wherein the circumferential deformable zone in the skirt 41 is defined by vertical corrugations 50 which. impart a waveshaped cross-sectional configuration to that area of the skirt 41, thus facilitating inward deformation thereof.

Referring next to FIG. 9, a slightly modified form of the invention has been illustrated which can be used with any of the cover constructions shown by way of example in FIGS. 1'8. In this form of the invention, the container body 21 remains cylindrical throughout substantially its entire axial height. A pair of axially spaced reinforcing rings 24', 24 are mounted on the upper end of the body 21, with the spacing between the two rings defining a constriction 51 spaced a distance x beneath the upper edge of the body. Thus, the split clamping ring 35 can be used to press the deformable zone of any one of the cover skirts into the constriction 5lfor example, the zone 34 of the skirt 26.

In the forms of the invention thus far described, the reinforcing rings 24, 24', 24" have either been shown above the constricted zone or, alternatively, both above and below such zone (FIG. However, the invention can also be practiced by employing only a single reinforcing ring 24" which is positioned on a container body 21 beneath the constriction. Thus. as shown in FIG. 10, a constriction 52 is formed in the body 21, which constriction is defined by an inwardly extending bead 54 formed in the body 21. The ring 24" is positioned beneath the constriction, the arrangement being such that when the cover 22 is applied, the upper edge of the ring 24" defines a stop for the skirt 26. Contraction of the split clamping ring 35 thus serves to press the deformable zone 34 of the cover 22 into the constriction 52. Yet another, and quite similar form of the invention is depicted in FIG. 11, wherein no reinforcing ring is provided.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other minor modifications could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the container body could have an outwardly extending bead (not shown) formed therein which is similar to the inwardly extending bead 54 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, or, alternatively, two outwardly extending axially spaced beads could be provided. In the latter case, the constriction would be defined by the space between the two beads, while in the former case it would be defined by the space below the bead. In either case, reinforcing rings could be employed situated above the bead or beads, below the bead or beads, or both above and below the bead or beads. Where only one such bead is employed and a reinforcing ring is positioned beneath the bead, the ring is preferably spaced axially below the bead so that the lower surface of the bead and the upper edge of the ring define the desired constriction.

I claim:

1. A container comprising, in combination, a container body and means defining a removable cover therefor. means defining a constriction extending circumferentially about said body with said constriction spaced'a distance x from the upper end of said body, said removable cover defining means including an annular cover skirt dimensioned to surround the upper end of said body, with said skirt havingan axial length greater than x and circumferentially extending deformable zone spaced a distance x below the inner upper surface of the cover, means for contracting said circumferentially extending deformable zone of-said skirt into said constriction in said container body, an annular reinforcingring mounted on said body adjacent to said constriction and'the portion of said container body above the constriction having an external diameter smaller than the external diameter of the'portion of said container body below the constriction, and said annular reinforcing ring having an'axial length less than x and mounted about said upper portion of said container body*with the upper edges of said body and said ring terminating'in a common plane, so that the lower edge of said ring defines a portion of said constriction.

2. A container as set forth in claim I further characterized in that said ring is disposed above said constriction.

3. A container as set forth in claim 'I further characterized in that said ring is disposed below said constriction.

4. A container comprising, in combination, a container body and means defining a removable cover therefor, means defininga constriction extending .circurnferentially about said body with said constriction spaced a distance-x from the upper end of said body, said removable cover defining means including an annular cover skirt dimensioned to surround the upper end of said body with said skirt having an axial length greater than x and a circumferentia'lly extending deformable zone spaced a distance x below the inner upper surface of the cover, means for contracting said circumferentially extending deformable zone of said skirt into said constriction in said container body, and a pair of annular reinforcing rings mounted 7. A container as set forth in any of claims 4 or 1. further characterized in that said deformable zone is defined by a circumferential array of vertically extending corrugations formed in said skirt.

8. A container as set forth in any of claims 4 or I. further characterized in that said formable zone is defined at least in part by a pair of circumferentially disposed axially spaced beads formed in said skirt. 

1. A container comprising, in combination, a container body and means defining a removable cover therefor, means defining a constriction extending circumferentially about said body with said constriction spaced a distance x from the upper end of said body, said removable cover defining means including an aNnular cover skirt dimensioned to surround the upper end of said body, with said skirt having an axial length greater than x and circumferentially extending deformable zone spaced a distance x below the inner upper surface of the cover, means for contracting said circumferentially extending deformable zone of said skirt into said constriction in said container body, an annular reinforcing ring mounted on said body adjacent to said constriction and the portion of said container body above the constriction having an external diameter smaller than the external diameter of the portion of said container body below the constriction, and said annular reinforcing ring having an axial length less than x and mounted about said upper portion of said container body with the upper edges of said body and said ring terminating in a common plane, so that the lower edge of said ring defines a portion of said constriction.
 2. A container as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said ring is disposed above said constriction.
 3. A container as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said ring is disposed below said constriction.
 4. A container comprising, in combination, a container body and means defining a removable cover therefor, means defining a constriction extending circumferentially about said body with said constriction spaced a distance x from the upper end of said body, said removable cover defining means including an annular cover skirt dimensioned to surround the upper end of said body with said skirt having an axial length greater than x and a circumferentially extending deformable zone spaced a distance x below the inner upper surface of the cover, means for contracting said circumferentially extending deformable zone of said skirt into said constriction in said container body, and a pair of annular reinforcing rings mounted on said body in axially spaced apart relation with the spacing between said rings defining said constriction.
 5. A container as set forth in any of the preceeding claims 4 or 1, further characterized in that deformable zone in said skirt is defined at least in part by a circumferential crease formed in said skirt.
 6. A container as set forth in any of the preceding claims 4 or 1 further characterized in that said deformable zone is defined at least in part by circumferentially spaced openings formed in said skirt.
 7. A container as set forth in any of claims 4 or 1, further characterized in that said deformable zone is defined by a circumferential array of vertically extending corrugations formed in said skirt.
 8. A container as set forth in any of claims 4 or 1, further characterized in that said formable zone is defined at least in part by a pair of circumferentially disposed axially spaced beads formed in said skirt. 